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No. 6I5,766. Patented Dec. I3, [898.

A. A. VANSICKLE.

GAS ENGINE.

(Application led Apr. 27, 1897.) (N0 MdeL) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 6|5,766. Patented Dec. I3, |898. A'. A. VANSICKLE.

GAS ENGINE.

(Application med Apr. 2v, 1897.) (No Model.)

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No. 615,766. Patented Dec. I3, i898. A. A. VANSICKLE. GAS ENGINE. (Application filed Apr. 27, 1897.)

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3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER A. VANSIOKLE, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF TIVO-TIIIRDS TO THOMAS MORRIS DEFREES, OF SAME PLACE.

GAS-ENGINE:-l

sPEcIFicATioN arming part of Letters Patent N. 615,766, dated December 1e, 189s.

Application filed April 27, 1897. Serial No. 6345100. (No model.)

T all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER A. VAN- SICKLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Engines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvementin gas-engines.

The objects of my invention are to produce an engine in which the movement of the piston will operate to open and close the exhaust and admission ports, to provide means for allowing a rapid exhaust, to provide means by which the explosive mixture may be heated prior to its admission into the cylinder by the exhaust-gases, to provide an improved form of governor to regulate the flow of gas or petroleum, and to provide the various details of construction hereinafter pointed out.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.

Figure 1 is a central Vertical section parallel with the crank-shaft. Fig. 2 is a similar section at right angles to the crank-shaft. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar section on line 44, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a similar section on line 5 5, Fig. 2. Fig. G is a side elevation of the governor. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through the crank-shaft.

In the drawings, 10 indicates a casting the upper end of which is bored out to form the cylinder 11. Formed near the lower end of casting 10 are two bearings 12 and 13, which are adapted to receive the crank-shaft 14, one of said bearings being preferably carried by a cap 15, bolted to one side of casting 10, the arrangement being such that by removing cap the interior of the casting 10 may be reached and the various portions of the crank-shaft and attached parts maybe easily assembled. The lower portion of casting 10 forms a chamber 16, which is air-tight, and

for the purpose of admitting air to the interior thereof I provide a check-valve 17. The upper end of cylinder 11 is closed by a cap 18, provided with a chamber 19, communicating with the interior of the cylinder and in which the igniting means is mounted.

Leading from chamber 16 up alongside the lower end of cylinder 11 to about the middle thereof is an air-duct 20, the upper end of which opens into an annular mixing-chamber 22, which surrounds the cylinder. Immediately above chamber 22 is a similar chamber 23, into which the exhaust is discharged, the arrangement being such that the heat from the exhaust-gases will serve to heat the material Within the mixing-chamber 22. Leading into chamber 22 at a point about ninety degrees from the air-duct 2O is a pipe 24, which is connected with any suitable supply of fuel.

It will be understood, of course, that within pipe 24 may be mounted any suitable spraying device in case a liquid fuel is used. Leading through the walls of cylinder l1 at a point opposite the inner end of pipe 24 is a series of openings 25, and placed between these openings and the air-duct 2O is a partition 26, the arrangement being such that the air from duct must pass entirely around the cylinder before reaching openings 25.

Mounted Within cylinder 11 is a piston 27, which is connected with the crank 28 of crankshaft 14 by means of a pitman 29. Formed in the upper end of piston 27, a short distance from the end and at right angles to the axis thereof, is a V-shaped slot 30, the inner end of which extends to the center of the piston, the arrangement being such that the outer wider end embraces and communicates with the inner ends of openings 25 when the piston is at the end of its forward stroke. to the top of piston 27 and communicating with the innerend of slot 30 is a pipe 31, the purpose Yof which will be made to appear.

Leading from the interior of cylinder 11 into chamber 23 is a series of exhaust-ports 32, which are placed as near together as possible around `the circumference of the cylinder, with the exception of the short space along which'the mouth of slot 30 travels.

Around the upper end of cylinder 11 is Secured IOO formed a water-jacket 33, theuppcr end of which communicates with a water-space 34, formed in cap 1S and surrounding chamber 19. Leading intojacket 33 is asuitable supply-pipe 35, and leading from space 34 is a discharge-pipe 36. For the purpose of forcing the exhaust-gases from the chamber 23 the said chamber is extended, as at 37, and the outer end of pipe 36 leads therein. Opposite pipe 36 and leading from chamber 37 :is a discharge-pipe 38, which is of considerably larger diameter than pipe 36 and is adapted to receive the exhaust-gases and the discharged water from the waterjackets, the arrangement being such that the passage of the water through chamber 37 draws the gases from chamber 23. Extension 37 may be formed integral with chamber 36, or it may be formed by means of a cap 39, bolted to the side of said chamber.

Leading into chamber 19 and insulated therefrom is an adjustable electrode 40, connected by wire 41 with any suitable battery, and leading into chamber 19, opposite electrode 40, is a sliding electrode 42, connected by wire 43 with said battery. Electrode 42 may be longitudinally moved through its bearin gs and alternately brought into contact with and separated from electrode 40 by means of a lever 44, to one arm of which is secured a rod 45, on the lower end of which is mounted a roller 46, which rests upon a cam 47, carried by the crank-shaft 14. Rod 45 is supported bya suitable bearing 48, and mounted between the said arm and the lever 44 is a spring 45, which will yield when the ends of the electrodes are in engagement. Roller 46 is held in engagement with cam 47 by means of a spring 49, which engages one arm of lever 44.

For the purpose of automatically regulating the amount of fuel supplied to the cylinder I mount at a convenient point in pipe 24 a pump 50, to the piston of which is secured a rod 51, the upper end of which is supported by a suitable bearing 52, between which and a collar 53, carried by the upper end of rod 51, is mounted a spring 54, which tends to normally hold the piston at the eX- treme of its backward stroke. In order to regulate the movement of the piston of the pump,I provide an adjustable stop 55,adapted to engage the upper end of rod 51. Secured to the rod 51 is a step 56, which is engaged by the outer end of a lever 57. Lever 57 is provided with a joint 58, allowing the outer end to swing in a plane parallel with the step 56, and the said lever is pivoted at 59, so as to swing in a plane parallel with the pump piston-rod and also parallel with the side of a fly-wheel 60, secured to shaft 14. Lever 57 lies at right angles to shaft 14 and is engaged by a cam 61, secured thereto, being held in engagement with said cam by means of a spring 62, placed, if desired, around pivot 59. Pivoted to wheel 60, so as to swing in a plane at right angles to shaft 14, are two arms 63,each provided at its outer end with a weight 64. The pivotal points of arms 63 are diametrically opposed, and the two arms are connected together by a pair of spiral springs 65, the saidsprings opposing'any outwardswinging movement of the arms. Arms 63 pass upon opposite sides of hub 66 of wheel 60, and keyed on this hub and longitudinally movable thereon is a collar 67, provided with a pair of diametrically-locatcd inclined recesses 68, in each of which rests an inclined lug 69, carried one by each of arms 63, the arrangement being such that as the outer ends of arms 63 swing outward collar N may be forced outward away from cam 61. For the purpose of causing this movement of collar 67 lever 57 is provided with a roller 70, which engages the outer side of collar 67, and a suitable spring 71 is provided to force said roller against the collar. Spring 71 may be placed around the pivot of joint 53, or, if desired, it may be secured to the casting 10, with its free end in engagement with lever 57.

The operation is as follows: The piston being caused to descend in the cylinder, the air in chamber 16 is forced through duct 2O into chamber 22 and around the cylinder. At the same time, slot 30 having been brought opposite openings 25, lever 57 is forced by cam 61 into engagement with step 56 and the piston of the pump 50 is forced forward against the action of spring 54, thus 'forcing a charge of fuel through pipe 24 and into the mixing-chamber, where it becomes mixed with the heated air already in said chamber, and owing to the pressure of the air within chamber 16 and the mixing-chamber 22, with which it is at all times in communication, the mixture is forced through openings 25 into slot 30 and from there up through pipe 31 into the upper end of cylinder l1, the mixture also rising into chamber 19 around the electrodes 40 42. A continued-movement of the crank-shaft causes t-he piston to move u p ward, thus closing openings 25 and compressing the mixture in the upper end of the cylinder. When the piston reaches the endof its backward stroke, the electrodes 40 ,42, which have been previously brought together by the action of cam 47, rod 45, and lever 44, are suddenly separated by the action of said parts, a spark is formed, and the compressed mixture is exploded, thus driving the piston forward. During the backward stroke 'of the piston a fresh quantity of air is drawn into chamber 16 through check-valve 17, and the pump-piston is returned to its normal position by spring 54. As the piston passes forward and nears the end of its forward stroke the exhaust-ports 32 are uncovered and the exploded gases are quickly discharged therethrough into the exhaust-chamber 23, from which they pass to pipe 33. A continued movement of the piston brings the outer end of slot 30 opposite openings 25, the piston of pump 50 is again operated by the actionof cam 61 and lever 57, and a fresh charge of IOO IOS

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fuel and air is forced through openings 25, slot 30, and pipe 31. The continued movement of the crank-shaft carries the piston back, the admission and exhaust ports are closed thereby, the mixture in the upper end of cylinder 1l is compressed, a fresh supply of air is drawn into chamber 16, and the operation is repeated. As the speed of the engine increases the weighted ends of arms 63 fly outward, thus partially withdrawing lugs 69 from recesses 68, so that collar 67 may be, forced outward by lever 57 and springi7`l, this movement,if sufticient,allowin g the outer end of lever 57 to swing away from step 56l and miss it as the lever is forced downward by the cam 6l. It will be understood, of course, that if gas under pressure be used instead of a liquid fuel a valve may be substituted for pump 50.

It is to be noticed that pipe 3l extends slightly above the exhaust-ports 32 and that it is located substantially in the axis of the cylinder, so that the incoming fuel does not become appreciably mixed with the outgoing dead gases. Again, the exhaust-ports leading into a chamber of comparatively large capacity and the said ports leading from all points around the circumference of the cylinder the exhaust is very rapid and noiseless and the greater portion of the dead gas passes into the exhaust-,chamber before the piston passes forward enough to open the admissionports and allow the entrance of the fresh mixture.

I claim as my inventionl. In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder and the piston, of an exhaust-chamber surrounding the cylinder, portsleading from said cylinder into said chamber and arranged to be opened and closed by the piston, a mixing-chamber surrounding the cylinder, and ports leading from said chamber into the cylinder and arranged to be opened and closed by the piston, substantially as described.

2. In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder and the piston, of an exhaust-chamber surrounding the cylinder, ports leading from said cylinder into said chamber and arranged to be opened and closed by the piston, a mixing-chamber surrounding the cylinder immediately beneath the exhaust-chamber, and ports leading from said mixing-chamber into the cylinder and arranged to be opened and closed by the piston, substantially as described.

3. In a gas-en gine, the combination with the cylinder, of an annular exhaust-chamber surrounding the cylinder, and an annular mixing-chambersurrounding the cylinder and placed adjacent the exhaust-chamber, the arrangement bein g such that the contents of the mixing-chamber will be heated by the exhaust, substantially as described.'

4. In a gas-en gine, the combination with the cylinder and piston, of an air-chamber formed upon one side of said piston, an annular mixing-chamber surrounding the cylinder and in constant communication with said air-chamber, means forintrod ucin g fuel into said mixing-chamber, a port leading from said mixing-chamber into the cylinder, the arrangement being such that the port will be opened and closed by the piston, and means for allowing the escape of the dead gas, substantially as described. Y

5. In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder and piston, of an air-chamber formed upon one side of said piston, an annular mixing-chamber surrounding the cylinder and in constant communication with the air-chamber, means forintroducing fuel into said mixing-chamber, a port leading from said mixing-chamber into the cylinder, the arrangement being such that the port will be opened and closed by the piston, an annular exhaustchamber adjacent the mixing-chamber and surrounding the cylinder, and a series of ports leading from the cylinder1- to said exhaustchamber, substantially as and for the purpose `set forth.

6. In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder and piston, of an air-chamber formed upon one side of the piston, a mixing-chamber in constant communication with said airchamber, means for introducing fuel'into said mixing-chamber, a port leading from said mixing-chamber into the cylinder, a slot formed in the periphery of the piston and leading into the piston, and a pipe forming a connection` between the inner end of said slot and the interior of the cylinder, the arrangement being such that, when the piston is at one end of its stroke, the outer end of said slot will be brought opposite the port, substantially as described.

7 In a gas-engine, the combination with the cylinder and piston,of an air-chamber formed upon one side of the piston, an annular mixing-.chamber surrounding the cylinder and in constant communication with said airchamber, means for introducing fuel into said mixing-chamber, a port leading from said chamber into the cylinder, a slot formed in the periphery of the piston and leading into the piston, a pipe forming a connection between the inner end ofthe slot and the interior of the cylinder, the arrangement being such that, when the piston is at one end of its stroke, the outer end of said slot will be brought opposite the port,an annular exhaustchamber surrounding the cylinder adjacent the mixing-chamber, and a series of ports leading from the cylinder into said exhaustchamber, substantially as described.

8. In a gas-engine, the combination with an exhaust-chamber adapted to receive the exhaust from the engine-cylinder, and a waterjacket surrounding a portion of the cylinder, of a pipe leading from said Water-jacket into said chamber, and a second pipe, mounted opposite the discharge end of said first pipe and leading from said chamber, the said IOO IIO

second pipe receiving the material passing through the first pipe, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a gas-engine, the cylinder, a piston mounted therein, a mixing-chamber, one or more ports leading through the wall of the cylinder from the interior of said cylinder into said mixing-chamber, a V-shaped, substantially radial slot formed in the piston, and a communicating passage between the inner end of said slot and the interior of the cylinder, the arrangement being such that, when the piston is at one end of its stroke, the outer end of said slot will lie opposite the said port or ports, substantially as described.

10. In a gas-engine, the combination with the crank-shaft, of a wheel rotated thereby, an arm pivoted to said wheel so as to swing in a plane at right angles to the shaft, a collar keyed to the shaft and longitudinally movable thereon, inclined coacting surfaces carried by said arm and collar, a lever adapted to engage said collar and hold it in engagement with the arm, a cam arranged to engage the lever and to operate the same at right angles to the movement of the collar, and fuel-controlling means arranged to be normally engaged by said lever, the arrangement being such that, when the arm swings outward, the lever will be withdrawn from engagement with said f uel-controllin g means, substantially as described.

11. In a gas-engine, the combination with the crank-shaft, of a wheel rotated thereby, an arm pivoted to said wheel so as to swing in a plane at right angles to the shaft, a collar keyed to the shaft and longitudinally movable thereon, inclined eoaeting surfaces carried by said arm and collar, a lever pivoted to swing in a plane at right angles to the shaft, a joint in said lever allowing the outer end thereof to swing in a plane parallel with the shaft, means carried by the outer end of said lever for engaging the collar and for holding it in engagement with the arm, and fuel-controlling means arranged to be normally engaged by the outer end of said lever, the arrangement being such that, when the arm swings outward, the lever will be withdrawn from engagement with said fuel-controlling means, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER A. VANSICKLE.

lVitnesses:

.I No. S. THURMAN, I). D. DEANE. 

